New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey S4659: Data center development-conduct study on environmental impacts
Status: In committee, October 1, 2026
Requires DEP to conduct study on environmental impacts of data center development in State; prohibits construction of new data centers until study is complete.
What the bill says
An Act concerning data center development in the State.
From the introduced text, October 1, 2026:
An Act concerning data center development in the State. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. a. As used in this section: Board means the Board of Public Utilities. Data center means a facility: (1) whose primary services are the storage, management, and processing of digital data; (2) that is used to house computer and network systems, including associated components such as servers, network equipment and appliances, telecommunications, and data storage systems, systems for monitoring and managing infrastructure performance, Internet-related equipment and services, data communications connections, environmental controls, fire protection systems, and security systems and services; and (3) a total aggregate information technology load of 25 megawatts or more. Department means the Department of Environmental Protection. Information technology load or IT load means the electrical load of computing, data storage, and networking equipment within a data center, measured at the point of power delivery to the equipment. Overburdened community means the same as the term is defined in section 2 of P.L.2020, c.92 (C.13:1D-158). b. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, beginning on the effective date of this section and continuing until 90 days after the submission of the departments report to the Governor and Legislature pursuant to subsection c. of this section, no data …
Sponsors
- Joseph P. Cryan (D, 20) · primary sponsor
- Andrew Zwicker (D, 16) · primary sponsor
- Linda R. Greenstein (D, 14)
- John F. McKeon (D, 27)
- Raj Mukherji (D, 32)
- Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. (D, 18)
Latest actions
- : INT 1RS REF SEN
Subjects: ENVIRONMENT
Common questions
- What is S4659?
- S4659 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Data center development-conduct study on environmental impacts.
- What does S4659 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning data center development in the State.
- What is the status of S4659?
- In committee as of October 1, 2026. Latest action: INT 1RS REF SEN (October 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored S4659?
- Joseph P. Cryan (D, 20), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S4659?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S4659
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.